The 12 Best Off-Leash Dog Parks in Vancouver
Sandy beaches, forest trails and grassy fields where your dog can run free — with the details existing lists never tell you: which spots are fenced, the off-leash hours, and where dogs can actually swim.
Vancouver is a dog's paradise, but the rules aren't obvious: some spots are fully fenced, some trails are leash-optional only on certain stretches, and a few have seasonal time restrictions. Here's where to go, what to expect, and which spots suit which dogs.
Spanish Banks
The crown jewel — a huge sandy off-leash beach with ocean and mountain views and tons of room to sprint. Best when the tide's out.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
70+ km of forest trails, with many inner trails leash-optional (outer trails require a leash — watch the signs). A proper nature escape minutes from the city.
John Hendry Park (Trout Lake)
A big off-leash area on the north side of the lake, with swimming and grassy space. Great for a picnic while your dog plays.
Hadden Park Dog Beach
A small, scenic beach where dogs can wade and swim. A local favourite.
Charleson Park
A grassy “bowl” that's off-leash 6am–10pm, plus a fenced waterfall pond dogs can splash in. Dogs must stay leashed near the duck pond.
Cooper's Park
A fully fenced dog run right by the seawall, open all hours. Convenient for downtown dwellers.
New Brighton Park
Spacious, grassy and fully fenced, with a small dog beach. Ideal for puppies and dogs still learning recall — though it gets muddy after rain.
Everett Crowley Park
A forested, quieter park where the inner trails are leash-optional. Off the beaten path.
McDonald Beach Park
An entire off-leash zone with a long sandy beach on the Fraser River. Wide open and rarely crowded.
Lighthouse Park
Old-growth forest, off-leash trails and rocky shore access. Stunning, but very busy on weekends — arrive early.
Confederation Park
Two options in one: fenced off-leash enclosures plus an off-leash trail, with great Burrard Inlet views.
Buntzen Lake
A fully-fenced dog beach on the east side of the lake. The water's not warm, but it's calmer than the ocean — great for a swim.
Find every spot on the map
Off Leash is a free app that maps every off-leash park, beach and trail in Metro Vancouver — with fenced/unfenced filters, off-leash hours and beach access for each one. No more guessing whether you can unclip.
Off-leash, answered
Where can I take my dog off-leash in Vancouver?
Vancouver has dozens of off-leash areas — from sandy beaches like Spanish Banks and Hadden Park to the forest trails of Pacific Spirit and fenced runs like Cooper’s Park downtown. The 12 spots in this guide are the best places to start, and the Off Leash app maps every one with its rules and hours.
Which Vancouver dog parks are fenced?
Fully fenced options include Cooper's Park (downtown), New Brighton Park (Hastings-Sunrise) and the Buntzen Lake dog beach. Confederation Park has fenced enclosures plus an off-leash trail. These are the safest picks for puppies and dogs still working on recall.
Are there off-leash dog beaches in Vancouver?
Yes — Spanish Banks, Hadden Park, Trout Lake, McDonald Beach (Richmond) and Buntzen Lake all let dogs swim. Always check the seasonal signage, since beach access can change in summer.
Do Vancouver off-leash parks have time restrictions?
Some do. Charleson Park is off-leash 6am–10pm, and many Pacific Spirit trails are leash-optional only on the inner trails. Bylaws and hours change seasonally, so read the signage at the trailhead before you unclip.
Last updated June 2026. Spotted an error, a closure, or a spot we missed? Let us know — we keep the map current.